Huge Energy Boost Expected From Solar Projects

The first sixteen large scale solar farms that were installed just a few days before the government deadline had run out are expected to contribute 46.3mw of power to the National Grid.

And a further six solar parks on the Brownfield sites are also generating power a further 12.9 mw.

Jonathan Schurlock, Energy Adviser of NFU is confident that the newly installed solar farm will collectively generate electricity for about 12,000 households.

The National Renewable energy target is set at 12% by the year 2020, these solar parks will be part of the overall energy package for the UK at the same time increasing the energy security.

Dr Scurlock is impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the UK solar power innovators, and said that it shows ‘substantial market potential’ from land based sector to supplying renewable electricity, at the same time supports low carbon technology growth, despite tough financial conditions and government imposed deadlines.

It has not been confirmed how many of the solar farms were successful in registering and commissioning to receive the feed in tariff renewable energy before the cut off on 1st August when the government incentive was reduced.

But from what has been reported the Sunny South Western region is the greatest concentration of solar farms, 16 mw capacity and the East Midlands a close second with almost 14 mw.

Up to June 2011, UK’s solar-generating capacity was standing around 122mw which was mostly deployed on domestic household roof tops, which means that the ground solar installation are adding approximately 50% to the solar energy production.

It is understood that a few sites were unable to complete their planned capacity on time, but that they may be able to make use of a legislative grace period to enable them to complete construction by September or October.